Why Raynham EMTs are now better equipped to save your life

RAYNHAM – A paramedic pulled opened the doors of the ambulance to get the stretcher.

But instead of yanking it, hauling it out or needing assistance from another paramedic, he simply had to push a button.

“The new technology with that stretcher--is [by] state law required now,” Fire Chief James Januse said Tuesday night about the new electric stretcher. “It’s all automatic stretchers as of July 1.”

The powered stretcher, which is a part of the departments new ambulance, is required and while a smoother ride for patients, it may also prevent injuries to paramedics.

“This is our new 2017 Ford ambulance,” Januse said Tuesday while showing the ambulance to Raynham Selectmen.. “We got it a few weeks ago and are putting it into service tonight.”

The Ford F 550 Lifeline Ambulance cost $350,000, which was transferred from the town’s ambulance account during the fall Town Meeting in 2016, Januse said. .

The ambulance is the town’s first with 4-wheel-drive and replaced the department’s 2007 ambulance.

Based on statistics this feature may also benefit paramedics.

Nationally In 2014, the most recent statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control, EMS worker injuries and illnesses, there were more than 21,000 EMS workers that year alone treated in U.S. hospitals due to an injury or illness from the job.

More than a third of that 21,000 was sprains and strains, according to CDC statistics.

“The greatest portion of injuries/illnesses involved overexertions and bodily reactions,” as stated on the CDC website. “About half of the overexertion and bodily reaction events were specifically identified as overexertion during lifting.”

The new stretcher can lift and load hundreds of pounds into the ambulance.

The shiny new ambulance and powered stretcher have been in use since August 8.

“We are running three ambulances now we have for the last three years,” Januse said. “Believe me some days we need all three.”